1893

The year was 1900, a cold year for the miners of Fairview, Utah, who were traveling to Winter Quarters in search of work. One particular night, I remember my father Joel Benson, who worked this mine just a year ago, before tragically passing in an explosion. When we arrived at the camp, the Supervisor told me that I needed to go see Howard down in the Eye Pit. He handed me a cracked white helmet, with the name Ashcroft written on it. As I entered the mine, the coal felt as if heavy stone filled my chest, making it harder to breathe the deeper I went. The elevator creaked and squealed as it lowered deeper into the pit. When I reached the bottom, a man covered in black dust towered over me. In a deep stern voice, he said "Boy! what are you doin' down here?! Don't tell me you're the new Dog!" After a few minutes of talking, he instructed me to grab chocks and to bring them to the end of the tunnel. 14 hours later, work was done for the day. We all went back to the surface to clean up and ready up for supper. A few days pass and Howard looked at me confused and asked why I came out here for work. I told him "My Pa died, and left me some stuff for me and my siblings." I pulled out a picture of the family, and Howard jumped up and exclaimed "Oh shoot! That's your Pa? Joel is your Pa! Hahahaa.." As we sat there, we continued to talk over the crackling fire. I learned all of Pa's belongings were in a tent, that was once his sleeping quarters. As I entered the tent, the first thing I noticed was a wooden chest beside his cot. Noticing that the chest was locked, I searched for a key, which was not to be found anywhere. So, I grabbed a pickaxe and broke the lock. Inside the chest, there was a photo, an astonishing amount of cash, cigarettes and under a false floor, was a Black Notebook and a Remington Model 1890. The photo read: "August 18, 1893. The Butch Boys. The Last Ride."

I was surprised to learn that my father was an outlaw when he was younger. Inside the notebook were a bunch of dates and locations, and a map that led to a mineshaft outside of Winters Quarters. As I was leaving, Howard was standing outside the tent. "Well? Ya find what you're looking for?" he asked. I said "Turns out, there's a lot I don't know about my Pa." Howard chuckled "Say, there wasn't any black books in that box, now was there?" His face turning serious. "You see, me n your daddy were, say, business partners. A few years back, we invested in a bank, and he ran off with all the loot!" I shook my head, indicating there was no such book. "Alright then," he said "lemme know if ya see it, you don't want any trouble from us." A few minutes after watching him walk away, I went back to the chest, loaded the revolver, and grabbed the book, and left to find out what he left behind.

After a few hours of walking in the general area where the map led, I came across a rock with arrows directing me to a plot of land about 5 miles East of the camp. In the picture, there were two trees side by side, my father was pointing at the sun, which were the sun was covering, revealed a river. Following the river, which led to a cave. I thought this must be it! Upon closer inspection, Two arrows pointed inside the cave and the initials of JB. As I moved into the cave, I hear galloping coming from up the river, "Must've been followed, tsk" I thought. I hid behind some rocks, for cover and waited. Listening for footprints, I hear rustling outside the cave, a couple voices whisper. "Shush Billy, He ain't heard us yet. I'll go in, you cover out here." ordered Howard with a hushed voice. As Howard entered the cave, he cocks back his revolver, prepared for a fight. "I know you're here boy! Come on out, nice n easy now!" Yelled Howard "You don't wanna end up like your daddy do ya?" Realizing just now that he killed my father, I pulled the 1890 Remington, pulled the hammer back and pulled the trigger, hitting Howard in the stomach. Howard fell to the ground, firing a shot towards me. I dive behind some rocks from where I was, crawl out and take aim, missing the 2nd shot, my ears were ringing. Howard, still on the ground manages to drag himself to cover, and yell "You don't wanna die for this Kid! Give up, n Ill let you live!" As the powder settled down, I thought about it. I thought about what would happen if I just gave up? He would probably kill me anyways. "You killed my Pa! One of us isn't leaving this cave!" my voice echoed. I noticed a pile of rocks near me, I picked one up and threw it in the direction away from me. Once Howard heard it, he charged the noise, giving me time to shoot him in the back. Killing him. The silence grew, and just then, I remembered another person was waiting outside. I walked towards the entrance, peeked outside, no one was there. So I gave out a whistle, and hid in the shadows. A few minutes passed and a man in a duster and a desperado hat and cautiously entered the cave. I jumped him, smacked his pistol out of his hands. Shot him in the chest twice. I rolled over onto my back with a deep sigh. After a moment I got up, and continued further into the cave. As the cave went deeper, it became darker and the cave came to a split. Looking at the book and the map, the map indicated to go left. The treasure should be ahead. At the end of the cave, was a cavern with water filling up inside, and in the very bottom on the other side, was a visible chest, waiting for someone to claim it.

I opened the chest to see gold bars, cash, bonds and a mask, probably the one my father wore that day in the picture. "There must be at least $20,000 here! If not more! I exclaimed. A few days went by, I just got back from buying supplies to take all of Pa's things home. It was a long trip, and now I get to go home and tell Mama about this crazy tale. "Wonder if Mama really knew about Pa."

END